Leaflet, 'Your clothing can burn!'

This leaflet about clothing flammability has the title 'YOUR CLOTHING CAN BURN!' and a simple drawing of a mother and daughter next to a heater on its cover. Below this is written 'Know what you and your Children are wearing.' Inside is information on flammable fabrics, what to do if clothing catches fire, and common causes of clothing fires accompanied by drawings. The back cover features a 'Fireman Sam' logo with the image of a running fireman, and another logo with images of a hand, a flame, and the motto 'Prevent fires'. Underneath this is written: 'Prepared by: Fire Safety Division, New Zealand Fire Service Commission'.

The New Zealand Fire Service Commission

This leaflet was produced by the New Zealand Fire Service Commission, which was created in 1974-1975. The commission then created the New Zealand Fire Service, to replace the local authority-based fire units nationwide, and to introduce standardised controls.

The leaflet is part of a collection formerly owned by the Royal New Zealand Plunket Society and would have been available from Plunket Rooms and Plunket nurses, reflecting the type of advice and support offered by Plunket.
The Royal New Zealand Plunket Society

Sir Frederick Truby King founded the Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children in 1907 in an effort to improve childcare standards, and it is still active today. It is, however, more commonly known as Plunket, after Lady Victoria Plunket, wife of the Governor of New Zealand at the time of the Society's establishment and a great supporter of King's work. In 1980, the Society officially changed its name to the Royal New Zealand Plunket Society.

Acquisition

In the late 1980s, Te Papa received a collection of objects and ephemera from the Plunket Society, including promotional leaflets, a 'Well Child' baby book, and a set of scales for weighing infants. These items date from different periods in the history of Plunket, from its inception in 1907 to the time of this acquisition.